Norm! column

Aug. 9, 2007

Cost of a chat with Lewis steep

[see the blog posts that launched this item here]

The price of Jerry Lewis' time has gone up.

Las Vegas freelance writer Steve Friess e-mailed an interview request to Lewis' public relations point man the other day, with the intention of doing a Q&A for Newsweek with the comedy icon.

The response ended with two-word jolt.

"Any interviews related to the MDA Telethon," wrote Rick Saphire, "must be scheduled through the publicity office of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I can schedule general, career-related interviews, but Mr. Lewis gets a sizable fee."

Friess wrote back, "If the MDA helps me set up an interview, will it be restricted only to MDA and the telethon or will I be able to ask other questions. And, also, how much is the fee for an interview otherwise?"

"Jerry Lewis will not (and cannot) combine an interview about the MDA with matters pertaining to his own career," Saphire replied. "He does not use his position as MDA National Chairman to advance his other activities, etc. Up to a one hour interview with Mr. Lewis for a commercial publication (electronic or print) is $20,000."

Friess, writing on his blog at TheStripPodcast.com, said he was "floored ... and morbidly fascinated."

Friess sent a note back to Saphire, saying "That's awfully steep" and added, "Have many media outlets actually paid that? Or do you negotiate?"

"Jerry Lewis' price is his price," Saphire wrote back. "It's a healthy sum, but ANY story about him receives international attention and raises readership. Yes, he is often paid that much and more for his interviews, but obviously it's only the heavy hitters in the media which can afford the fee."

Friess passed.

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